Elombe Brath Needs Our Help

By Herb Boyd
Managing Editor, TBWT

Harlem-An increasing number of activists around the globe are shocked to learn that Elombe Brath has suffered a stroke. Brath, 71, one of the world’s most respected Africanists and founder of the Patrice Lumumba Coalition, is currently recovering from a stroke that has slowed and weakened a man who for years has been an indefatigable foe of injustice, racism, white supremacy, and imperialism.
Below we reprint an email from his wife, Nomsa, as well as detailed information on how to donate to a fund to defray Elombe’s medical expenses and efforts to resume his incomparable activism.

Dear friends and fellow activists:
I am challenged to announce to those of you, who know and love him, that Elombe has had a stroke. I suspect that before the visible effects of the stroke, which occurred in September, at least two minor ones might have went unnoticed. That is the sad news, but the good news and more powerful news is that I believe he has the courage to regain his former posture and continue the work he has championed, for the past 50 years, the liberation of African people.
He is presently under the doctor’s care as well as receiving physical therapy bi-weekly, to strengthen his left side and improve his gait.  Cognitively, there is a difference, but not a drastic one. He can hold his own most of the time so long as he does not become fatigued.
Elombe retired from ABC nine years ago so that he could focus on his life’s work exclusively. He receives medical coverage as a PPO which is 20% paid by him and 80% by his insurance for all accepted medical procedures and programs as well as Medicare. Consequently, preventive and holistic medical practices and procedures are not acceptable and will not be covered by this plan. He has no dental coverage and I know that has impacted his health adversely.
There are several alternative modalities that I am trying to add to his treatment plan, which include purchasing equipment to use at home on a regular basis as well as added nutritional supplementation to that which has already been prescribed, oxygen therapy, massage, dental surgery, etc. He will probably be getting chelation therapy but not until further blood work is done because his creatine is not exactly where the doctor would like it to be and we don’t want any kidney problems to complicate things.
 His blood pressure is good but he has not learned to relax and he is stressing himself about his present physical dilemma.
 It is usually the first year of a stroke that is most crucial for stroke victims and an indicator of the level of recovery that can be expected depending on the severity of damage.
For the next three months he will be observed and then re-evaluated. If at that time he has not improved as expected he will be taken to Cuba for further assessment and treatment.
His life has been a marathon of causes here and around the world on behalf of our brothers and sisters who needed their struggles to be voiced and recognized, whether in South Africa, Namibia, Congo, Ethiopia, Grenada, Burkina Faso or in the United States. With your help we can keep him moving forward in better health and strength for many years to come.
Yours in Love and Struggle,
Nomsa Brath
 Please join them by sending a check made payable to: Elombe Brath
Mail donations to: Elombe Brath,
1845 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard
Apt 6C
New York, NY 10026
If you prefer to drop donations in person do so at drop off address for cash Donations: Cinque Brathwaite (Elombe’s Son) 766 St.Nicholas Avenue apt #4a New York,NY 10031 Cash Donation drop-offs Sunday from 4pm – 8pm or Thursday from 6:30pm – 9:30pm Call to confirm before arriving at 212-926-2070.

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